Croatian kiosk vendors embrace age-tech to curb underage tobacco sales

Vendors at iNovine kiosks in Croatia have embraced a new age-verification technology, a year after its implementation, reporting positive results in preventing sales of tobacco and nicotine products to minors. The system, a collaboration between BAT and iNovine, has been used more than 41,000 times in its first year.

Beyond its primary function, the scanning technology has become a tool for initiating conversations and educating underage individuals. Sales staff noted that when asked to scan, those who know they are underage often abandon their purchase attempts. This provides vendors with added security and an opening to offer educational brochures, developed by the Society for Social Support, which explain the risks of tobacco and nicotine products to young people and their parents.

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We encounter situations daily where customers claim they don't have their ID. In such cases, we use this technology. Our experience shows that as soon as we ask for a scan, those who know the technology will reveal they are under 18 usually give up on the purchase. This gives us additional security and creates an opportunity for a constructive conversation and handing out an educational brochure.

"We encounter situations daily where customers claim they don't have their ID," said Željka Odlešić from Zagreb. "In such cases, we use this technology. Our experience shows that as soon as we ask for a scan, those who know the technology will reveal they are under 18 usually give up on the purchase. This gives us additional security and creates an opportunity for a constructive conversation and handing out an educational brochure."

Dijana Trstenjak from Mursko Središće echoed this sentiment, stating, "Given that the most common excuse we hear from minors is that they forgot their ID at home, the app helps because underage individuals often give up on purchasing when asked to verify. We escort them by giving them a brochure, and if we also raise their awareness, it's important that we influence them to give up these products, rather than just going to try buying them elsewhere."

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Given that the most common excuse we hear from minors is that they forgot their ID at home, the app helps because underage individuals often give up on purchasing when asked to verify. We escort them by giving them a brochure, and if we also raise their awareness, it's important that we influence them to give up these products, rather than just going to try buying them elsewhere.